The Austin Police Department (APD) No Refusal DWI Initiative that began January 2017 and continued to run each weekend through September 2017 will resume this weekend. As it has previously, the initiative will last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day, Friday night through Sunday morning.

Upcoming weekends for No Refusal are Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8 – 10.

During No Refusal, detectives will assist in applying for blood search warrants in cases where a suspect under arrest for DWI refuses to provide a voluntary sample of breath or blood. By expanding the initiative to all weekends instead of just holidays, APD hopes to deter drinking and driving when it is most likely to occur.

“No Refusal is not about making as many arrests as we can,” Lt. Blake Johnson with APD’s Highway Enforcement Unit said. "It’s about keeping unsafe drivers off Austin roadways and keeping the public safe. No Refusal ensures that we have solid blood alcohol content evidence of every arrest and as such enhances our ability to prosecute people who drive drunk and put others in danger.”

Weekends are often associated with parties and gatherings where alcohol is present. This initiative reminds everyone that area law enforcement agencies encourage them to make the responsible choice not to drive if they are impaired in any way. Know before you go, get home safe. APD is focused on saving lives in the Austin metropolitan area and making roadways safe through education and enforcement.